5 
comb, these birds spread their tail, and with it drive off the bees be- 
fore attacking it. This was told me by a villager in a portion of 
thickly-wooded country where these birds are common. 
Genus Burro. 
Burro Teresa, Gray. 
This is one of the commonest Hawks in the Deccan. Its plain- 
tive cry may be heard in almost every tope of trees. It is easily 
distinguished by its white throat and silvery-white eyes. Dr. Jer- 
don, in his ‘ Catalogue of Birds of India,’ says: ‘It frequents topes 
as well as open country, where it may be seen seated on low trees 
and bushes, an ant-hill, or the banks of rivers, whence it pounces 
on mice, lizards, small snakes, and various large insects and their 
larvee.”’ In the stomach of one of these birds I found a small snake 
entire, said to be of a very venomous kind, and a large locust; in 
that of another the remains of a full-grown rock quail. I am not 
aware whether the eye of all or most of the Falconide is strengthened 
by a ring of bony plates, as is the eye of the Golden Eagle, but it is 
the case in this bird. The Teesa breeds during the months of March, 
April and May. The nest is composed of sticks laid on the forked 
branches of the babool, mango and other trees. It sometimes con- 
tains as many as four eggs, 1,8, inch in length and 1,5 inch in breadth, 
white, spotted and dashed with brown. 
I am very much inclined to think that the Teesa migrates during 
the monsoon, and returns to the Deccan about September, as I used 
not to hear its peculiar cry from the end of May to the middle of that 
month. Mr. Elliot, in his notes, mentions that Circus cyaneus and 
Falco peregrinus also migrate during the hot season and monsoon. 
I never noticed any of the Harriers about until September or October. 
The name of the Teesa in Mharata is ‘Surudmar,’ and in Hindoostani, 
‘Girgootmar,’ meaning in both languages, I believe, ‘the destroyer 
of lizards.’ This name also applies, or is applied, to the Kestril Black- 
wing (Elanus melanopterus), and Harriers. 
The eggs sent with the others, I believe are those of one of the 
Harrier family, but of which I am unable to say. Most probably 
they belong to Circus cyaneus or Circus Montagui, as these are the 
most common. Cireus cyaneus ( C. pallidus, Sykes) is exceedingly 
common in the Deccan. In the grass lands amongst the hills, where 
quails abound, I have observed these birds beating particular spots 
of ground in the most regular manner, and when shooting, have 
found such spots to yield the best sport. I was told by a gentleman 
of the Civil Service, an ardent sportsman, that when shooting near 
Belgaum, many of the quails have been carried off by the Harriers 
before the beaters had time to secure them. They will fly over a plot 
of grass land, scanning every foot of it, and in the most careful 
manner beat the hedges and strips of bush and grass between the 
fields. They feed on lizards, mice, and small birds. I have been told 
that these birds remain to breed in the Deccan. 
